The Boston Celtics didn’t just test the trade waters ahead of the Feb. 5 deadline - they dove right in. In a bold move, Boston has agreed to send guard Anfernee Simons to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for veteran big man Nikola Vucevic. The Celtics also picked up a 2027 second-round pick from the Nuggets, while the Bulls received the most favorable 2026 second-rounder from a group that includes the Timberwolves, Pelicans, Knicks, and Trail Blazers.
While the deal isn’t yet official, the Celtics have already ruled out Simons for Tuesday night’s matchup against the Mavericks, citing personal reasons. But even before tip-off in this Finals rematch, the implications of this trade are already rippling through the league - and they’re particularly significant for Boston.
Let’s start with the financials, because that’s a big part of what’s driving this deal. Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens has made no secret about the team’s desire to regain flexibility.
Boston had been operating above the second apron - the harshest tier of the league’s luxury tax system - and the penalties were starting to bite. By moving Simons, the Celtics take a big step toward easing those restrictions.
They’re still $5.9 million above the tax line, but that’s a far cry from where they were over the summer. This trade, along with previous moves involving Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, and the free agency exits of Al Horford and Luke Kornet, has helped Boston inch closer to a more manageable cap situation.
And there’s more: the deal creates a Traded Player Exception (TPE) worth nearly $28 million. That’s a valuable asset in itself - one that could come into play down the road, especially if Jayson Tatum returns healthy and the Celtics want to make another move next season.
From a contract standpoint, Vucevic’s deal is a better fit for Boston right now. He’s making around $21 million this season and becomes an unrestricted free agent ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Simons, on the other hand, is earning about $27 million with the same free agency timeline. So Boston saves money in the short term while also avoiding the risk of being locked into a longer-term commitment with a younger player they weren’t likely to re-sign.
But this isn’t just about dollars and cents - this is also about fit and roster needs. With Horford gone and Kornet off the books, Boston’s frontcourt was thin. Neemias Queta and Luka Garza have done an admirable job holding down the center spot, but there’s no question the Celtics needed more depth and experience at the five.
Boston Celtics cap situation after trading Anfernee Simons for Nikola Vucevic:
— Yossi Gozlan (@YossiGozlan) February 3, 2026
They open up more trade flexibility by getting under the first apron.
They reduce their tax penalty from $39.5 million to $17.7 million.
They have four second-round picks left to help duck the tax. pic.twitter.com/JBuRNoE9kr
Enter Vucevic. The 35-year-old may not be the All-Star he once was, but he’s still producing at a solid clip: 16.9 points per game on 50.5% shooting from the field and a strong 37.6% from three.
That floor-spacing ability is crucial in Boston’s offense, where bigs are expected to stretch the defense and make smart reads. Vucevic might not be a long-term piece, but as a stopgap who can contribute immediately - and potentially start - he checks a lot of boxes.
And let’s not overlook what he endured in Chicago. Despite being the subject of trade rumors for years, Vucevic stayed professional and consistent. That kind of mental toughness matters, especially in a city like Boston with championship expectations.
Still, this trade isn’t without its drawbacks - and the biggest one is the loss of Simons.
The 26-year-old guard had grown into a key piece off the bench, emerging as a dark horse Sixth Man of the Year candidate. He was averaging over 14 points a night and hitting nearly 40% from deep - all while embracing his role and staying locked in despite the constant trade chatter.
That kind of scoring punch isn’t easy to replace. Simons brought youth, energy, and the ability to heat up in a hurry - something every contending team needs in the playoffs. His departure leaves a hole in the Celtics’ backcourt rotation, and while Payton Pritchard could step up, it’s a big ask to replicate Simons’ production.
There’s also the reality that Boston likely wasn’t going to re-sign Simons in the offseason. That made the decision a little easier, but it doesn’t erase the fact that they’re losing a talented young guard who fit their system well.
So where does this leave Boston?
In the short term, they’ve added a seasoned center who can help stabilize the frontcourt and offer a different dynamic offensively. They’ve also improved their cap situation, created a valuable TPE, and positioned themselves to be more active in future roster moves.
Joe Mazzulla on Anfernee Simons tuning out any trade talk surrounding him:
— Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) January 10, 2026
“Ever since day one, he's done a great job at controlling what he can control…I love the role that he's in because he comes in and just it's another guy that can playmake for us.” pic.twitter.com/P49kyUXd3K
In the long term, it’s a bit murkier. Vucevic is on the wrong side of 30, and while he can contribute now, he’s not a player you build around. But for a team with championship aspirations and a still-recovering Jayson Tatum, this move is about the present - about shoring up a weakness and keeping the window open.
The Celtics and Bulls are set to meet on Feb. 11 in Boston. If the trade is finalized in time, it’ll be an early chance to see both players in their new threads - and an early look at how this gamble plays out.
For the Celtics, it’s a calculated move. One that could pay off in the postseason - or leave them wondering what could have been if Simons had stuck around. Either way, Boston is betting on experience, flexibility, and a frontcourt boost to keep them in the hunt.